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Under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), SIRIM Berhad has designed a programme for senior research technological organization (RTO) management officials in strengthening their competencies in managing and leading their RTO. SIRIM Berhad has trained over 500 participants from over 60 countries since the commencement of MTCP courses in 2003.

The programme was launched by Chairman of SIRIM Berhad, Datuk Hajjah Jamaliah Kamis on June 18, 2012 at a ceremony in SIRIM Berhad. The Director General of the Department of Policy and Strategy Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Ambassador Zainol Rahim Zainuddin delivered the welcome remarks. In his speech, H. E. Ambassador Zainol hoped that this course could serve as a platform for establishing networking among senior officials of RTOs and promoting joint co-operation among RTOs of developing countries. He also congratulated SIRIM Berhad for its excellent service that led to it being awarded the Best Asia Award and the Best Woman Invention Award at the 23rd International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2012 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 17-19, 2012.

Fifteen head of organizations and senior officers from international RTOs attended the programme including organization heads and senior officials from WAITRO members namely Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI); Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Nigeria; Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Nigeria; Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Egypt; Cotton Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre (ARC), Egypt; Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), Philippines; Thailand Institute of Science and Technological Research (TISTR); National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC), Sri Lanka; Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka; and Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC), India.

Presentations were made by resource speakers from WAITRO member organizations in Malaysia such as SIRIM Berhad, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MTDC), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and other local research institutions who shared their knowledge and expertise on the topics covered over the four-day period which are as follows:

Participants gave very positive feedback on the programme as it provided a forum for sharing experiences, case studies, development activity results, ideas, applications, research results and collaboration opportunities. During the wrap-up session, participants identified areas of potential collaborations which can be done among their respective organizations.